THORALF MEYER, PH.D. Lecturer, Department of Geography and the Environment 305 E. 23 rd St., Dept Code: A3100 Office: SAC 4.160, Spatial Sciences Lab The University of Texas at Austin -- Austin, Texas 78712 (512) 232-7336 (SAC) or 512.550.2955 (cell) meyer @ austin.utexas.edu EDUCATION University of Virginia Ph.D., Department of Environmental Sciences, Charlottesville, VA (May 2014). Advisors: Paolo D'Odorico and Herman H. Shugart. Committee members: Gregory S. Okin (UCLA), Howard E. Epstein, Teresa B. Culver Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Dipl. Ing. (FH), Bernburg, Germany, Land Use Planning and Nature Conservation (1999) Advisor: Lars Ramberg (University of Botswana) and Klaus Richter Fachschule fuer Technik und Wirtschaft (Technical College) Federally Approved Environmental Technician, Weissenfels, Germany (1994) PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS Lecturer, Department of Geography and the Environment, The University of Texas at Austin (2011 present). Research Associate, UT Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG). Adjunct Lecturer, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (2003-2010). Research Assistant and Lab Instructor / Teaching Assistant, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia (2006-2013). Founder, Owner, and Managing Director, Services for GeoInformation (SGI), Environmental Consultancy and Mapping / Survey Company (2005-present). GIS & Remote Sensing Lab Manager and Analyst, University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center, (2000-2005). Theses and Book-length Research Products PUBLICATIONS T. Meyer (2014). Multi-scale quantification of woody biomass in heterogeneous landscapes: Leveraging traditional field sampling, spectral unmixing, and allometric modeling in Kalahari savanna ecosystems. Dissertation, University of Virginia. 148 pp. T. Meyer, K.A. Crews, K. Ross, S. Bourquin, D. Gibson, and C. Craig (2010). Consultancy to Identify Important Habitats for Key Wildlife in the Western Kgalagadi Conservation Corridor (WKCC). Conservation International: Johannesburg, South Africa and Washington, DC. 268 pp. T. Meyer (1998). Ecological Mappings in the Research Area of the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Masters Thesis, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. 163 pp. Page 1 of 10
Journal articles (peer-reviewed) Meyer, T. & G. Okin (2015) Evaluation of spectral unmixing techniques using MODIS in a structurally complex savanna environment for retrieval of green vegetation, nonphotosynthetic vegetation, and soil fractional cover. Remote sensing of environment. Mishra, N. B., K. A. Crews, N. Neeti, T. Meyer & K. R. Young (2015) MODIS derived vegetation greenness trends in African Savanna: Deconstructing and localizing the role of changing moisture availability, fire regime and anthropogenic impact. Remote sensing of environment, 169, 192-204. Mishra, N. B., K. A. Crews, J. A. Miller & T. Meyer (2015) Mapping Vegetation Morphology Types in Southern Africa Savanna Using MODIS Time-Series Metrics: A Case Study of Central Kalahari, Botswana. Land, 4, 197-215. J.G. Paine, J.R. Andrews, K. Saylam, T.A. Tremblay, A.R. Averett, T.L. Caudle, T. Meyer, and M.H. Young (2013). Airborne lidar on the Alaskan North Slope: Wetlands mapping, lake volumes and permafrost features. Hydrogeophysics, The Leading Edge; Special section: pp 798-805. T. Meyer, P. D Odorico, G.S. Okin, H.H. Shugart, K.K. Caylor, F.C. O Donnell, A. Bhattachan. K. Dintwe (2013). An analysis of structure: biomass structure relationships for characteristic species of the western Kalahari, Botswana. African Journal of Ecology. Doi: 10.1111/aje.12086 L. Ramberg, P. Hancock, M. Lindholm, T. Meyer, S. Ringrose, J. Sliva, Van As J and C. Vander Post (2006). Species diversity of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Aquatic Sciences research across boundaries, Vol. 68, number 3, Birkhäuser Verlag Switzerland. L. Gobagoba, T. Meyer, S. Ringrose, A.B. Kampunzu, and S. Coetzee (2005). Calcrete mapping and palaeo-environments in the Qangwa area, northwest Botswana. Botswana Notes and Records Vol. 37, Special Edition, on Human Interactions and Natural Resource Dynamics in the Okavango Delta and Ngamiland, p. 236-280 Book chapters (peer-reviewed) T. Meyer, L. Cassidy, S. Ringrose, C. Vanderpost, D.L. Kgathi, B.N. Ngwenya, H. Bendsen, W. Matheson, and T. Kemosidile (2011). An Assessment Of Plant Based Natural Resources in The Okavango Region, Botswana Using Satellite Imagery (Chapter 6), pp. 99-130. In Eds. D.L. Kgathi, B. N. Ngwenya and M.B. K. Darkoh Rural Livelihoods, Risk and Political Economy of Access to Natural Resources in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Nova Press. 375pp. Professional Research Reports K.A. Crews and T. Meyer (2010). Makgadikgadi Remote Sensing Project (Vegetation Mapping from Satellite Data and Field Reconnaissance). Centre for Applied Research for Botswana at the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, 10 pp. P. Hancock, Z. Mpofu, S.J. Tyler, T. Meyer (2006). A Baseline Survey of the Slaty Egret in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, Botswana, Okavango Delta Management Plan (ODMP). T. Meyer & H. Bendsen (2003). The Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies, in Environmental Monitoring of Tropical and Subtropical wetlands. Eds. T. Bernard, K. Mosepele, L. Ramberg (Ed.). Okavango Report Series No. I; Maun, Botswana; HOORC pp. 278-307. Page 2 of 10
Newspaper Entries K. Meyer and T. Meyer (2012). Longhorns in Botswana. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. K. Meyer and T. Meyer (2012). Return of the Flood. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. K. Meyer and T. Meyer (2011). Fluid Lives: Cycles of the Boteti. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. T. Meyer and K. Meyer (2011). A Potential Wildlife Corridor Linking KTP and CKGR. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. T. Meyer and K. Meyer (2011). Botswana s Megatransect. The Zambezi Traveller (Kasane, Botswana). 500 words. Published / Presented Analysis & Maps (listed as author) T. Meyer, S. Ringrose, D. Kgathi, B. Ngwenya, H. Bendsen (2004). Remote sensing techniques for natural resources mapping in the Okavango Delta, First BENRON Scientific Conference, Gaborone, Botswana. L. Gobagoba, T. Meyer, S. Ringrose (2004). Calcrete mapping and palaeo-environments in the Qanqwa area, Ngamiland, Poster Presentation, First BENRON Scientific Conference, Gaborone, Botswana. S. Ringrose, P. Huntsman-Mapila, T. Kemosidile, A. Jellema, P. Wolski, M. Murray-Hudson, C. Vanderpost, K. Mosepele, C. Bonyongo, W. Masamba, and T. Meyer (2004). Water and Ecosystem Resources in Regional Development WP 3: Ecosystem dependence of water flow and quality in the Okavango Delta, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango research Centre, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana. Distributed CD to all participants. T. Meyer (2002). Land Use Map Ngamiland as integrated part of Access to resources: Livelihood options and strategies in the Okavango Delta, D. Kgathi, W. Werner, H. Bendsen, 3rd WATERnet/WARFSA Symposium, Integrating Water Supply & Water Demand for Sustainable Use of Water Resources, Dar es Salaam Tanzania, 30th 31st October 2002. T. Meyer (2002). Map of Tsodilo Hills, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, 4th 8th December 2002, Maun, Botswana. T. Meyer (2002). Preliminary Road Map of the Moremi Game Reserve circa 2002. Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, 4th 8th December 2002, Maun, Botswana M. Lehmensiek, M. Murray Hudson, T. Meyer (2002). Using Environmental Accounting to Evaluate Tourism Operations in the Okavango Delta - An Emergy Synthesis -, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, 4th 8th December 2002, Maun, Botswana. T. Meyer (2002). Land Use Map Ngamiland, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, 4th 8th December 2002, Maun, Botswana. Page 3 of 10
SELECTED RECENT CONTRACTED REPORTS - SGI (Services for GeoInformation) Over 60 project reports all available to the public and complying with Botswana environmental laws and regulations, each ranging from 150-500 pp Government & NGO Concession Management NG/49, Phuduhudu Trust, Ngamiland, Botswana Feasibility Study for the Proposed Maun Eco Tourism Park, NWDC & SAREP, Ngamiland, Botswana Vegetation map production Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Nxai Pan N.P., Makgadikgadi N.P., DWNP DARUDEC project, European Community, Maun, Botswana Definition, data management and map production for the definition of Important Bird Areas in Botswana, Birdlife Botswana Identification of Key Habitats, Threats and Conflicts for Migratory Species within the Western Kalahari Conservation Corridor Corridor Design and Placement (Botswana), Conservation International Southern Africa office Remote Sensing Component Management Plan for Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park and surrounding Areas Department of Environmental Affairs, Botswana Biodiversity Assessment within Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, Department of Environmental Affairs Maun, Botswana and University of Stellenbosch, South Africa Corporate Environmental Impact Assessment: Waste to Energy Plant, Clean Energy Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Pilane Landfill, Gaborone Environmental Impact Assessment: Oil Recycling Plant, Majestic River (Pty.) Ltd., Maun Environmental Impact Assessment: Rock & Stone Mine, Hellenics (Pty.) Ltd. Gaborone Environmental Impact Assessment: Xugana Airstrip, Chobe Holding (Pty.) Ltd. NG/21, Ngamiland Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans for various Tourism and Industrial Projects throughout Botswana (over 20 projects) SELECTED ONGOING OR RECENT SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING Maun Anti-Poaching Centre, Botswana. 2009 - present. GIS / GPS / Remote Sensing support and scientific supervision. Kalahari Transect (UVA, UCLA, and Princeton University), South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. 2004 - present. Research support including field campaigns and scientific consultation. Funded by the National Science Foundation. Page 4 of 10
Socio-ecological systems in the Okavango Basin System, Northwestern Botswana. 2004 - present. Research support including field campaigns and scientific consultation. Funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA. Birdlife Botswana, Northern Botswana. 2000-2012. GIS support. Mapping Elephant-Human Conflict, Botswana. 2005. Remote sensing support. Funded by Conservation International. Aerial assessment (counts and processing) of the Nile Crocodile (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa), Northwestern Botswana. 2004-2005. Tsetse Fly Monitoring Programme, Botswana. GIS support. 2003. Rhino Re-introduction project (Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Okavango Wilderness Safaris). GIS and remote sensing support. 2002-2003. Carbon Flux Tower Savanna Assessment (Max-Planck Institute and Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre), Okavango Delta, Botswana. Technical support and maintenance of two flux towers. 2001-2002. PRESENTATIONS Academic T. B. Christiansen, K.A. Crews, T. Meyer (2013) Structural disturbance classes: Explicitly linking field- and satellite-derived measurements for improved disturbance detection and quantification. American Association of Geographers, Remote Sensing and Vegetation, Los Angeles. K.A. Crews and T. Meyer (2009). Fire Disturbance in Northwestern Botswana: Cross-comparison of MODIS fire products, Landsat ETM, and Population Density. IEEE IGARSS (Geosciences and Remote Sensing Symposium). 16 July 2009, Cape Town, South Africa. K.A. Crews, T. Meyer, & A.L. Neuenschwander (2008). Lessons Learned in Change Detection: Principles, Patterns, & Processes, 1st Kalahari Workshop, March 2008, Maun, Botswana T. Meyer and H. Bendsen (2003). Mapping the Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies, Third Department of Survey and Mapping Conference, Ghanzi, Botswana 15 th - 19th. September H. Bendsen and T. Meyer (2002). The Dynamics of the Land Use Systems in Ngamiland; Changing Livelihood Options and Strategies, Environmental Monitoring of Tropical Wetlands and Subtropical Wetlands, 4th 8th December, Maun, Botswana S. Ringrose, A. Jellema, P. Wolski, W. Timmermans, T. Meyer, and E. Kabikwa (2002). Mapping ecological change along the Okavango Delta, implications for water loss? NASA SAFARI Y2K 2000 Synthesis Meeting, Charlottesville, Virginia, Professional Over 25 stakeholder meetings publicly announced and conducted to meet legal requirements of Environmental Impact Assessments including the following: Rakops Community, Central District Botswana Maun Tribal Authority (Kgotla Meeting), Ngamiland District Kasane Community (Kgotla Meeting), Chobe District Page 5 of 10
Over 125 meetings with ranking officials of Botswana government departments, International NGOs, and International Initiatives including the following: Department of Wildlife and National Parks Department of Tourism Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, DARUDEC Initiative Southern African Environmental Program Initiative (SAREP) Department of Wildlife and National Parks Department of Survey and Mapping Department of Rangeland and Forestry Department of Meteorology Okavango Research Centre University of Botswana Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana Conservation International South Africa Branch Invited Lectures / Labs (does not include UT guest lectures) Over 80 days unpaid / volunteer lecture and hands-on training including the following: GPS training: Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Anti-Poaching Unit Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Research Unit Department of Rangeland and Forestry Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, DARUDEC Initiative Mababe Community Trust, Safari Escort Guides US Peace Corps Volunteers, Northern Botswana GIS training: Department of Rangeland and Forestry US Peace Corps Volunteers, Northern Botswana Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism, DARUDEC Initiative Birdlife Botswana Rhino Re-introduction Program, Okavango Wilderness Safaris and Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism Remote Sensing training: Maun Police / Anti-Poaching Project Department of Meteorology Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Anti-Poaching Unit Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Research Unit Page 6 of 10
TEACHING RECORD (UT ONLY, * Denotes COLA Honors Instructor-taught Lab, Approved UGS Flags indicated by their abbreviation) Semester Course # Course Title Instructor Score Fall 2015 GRG 366C Comparative Ecosystems Fall 2015 GRG 304E* Environmental Science - Honors only Fall 2015 GRG 304E Environmental Science - non-honors Summer 2015 Summer 2015 GRG 356T (GC) GRG 356T (QR) Enviro-Cultural Dynamics in Botswana Climate Change and Vegetation Response in the Kalahari Spring 2015 GRG 462K Intro. Remote Sensing of Environment Spring 2015 GRG 304E* Environmental Science - Honors only Spring 2015 GRG 304E Environmental Science - non-honors Fall 2014 GRG 336C National Parks and Protected Areas Summer 2014 Summer 2014 GRG 356T (QR) GRG 356T (GC) Climate Change and Vegetation Response in the Kalahari Enviro-Cultural Dynamics in Botswana Spring 2014 GRG 366C Comparative Ecosystems Fall 2013 GRG 304E* Environmental Science - Honors only Fall 2013 GRG 304E Environmental Science - non-honors Summer 2013 Summer 2013 GRG 356T GRG 356T Climate Change and Vegetation Response in the Kalahari Enviro-Cultural Dynamics in Botswana Spring 2013 GRG 304E* Environmental Science - Honors only Spring 2013 GRG 304E Environmental Science - non-honors Course Score Enrollment 70 65 13 13 41 55 4.8 4.3 35 4.6 4.7 16 4.6 4.7 16 4.4 3.9 33 4.6 4.5 54 4.5 4.4 16 4.9 5.0 15 4.9 5.0 15 4.3 3.9 16 4.3 4.0 72 Page 7 of 10
Summer 2012 GRG 356T Climate Change, Ecosystems, and Human Dynamics Fall 2011 GRG 304E* Environmental Science - all sections 5.0 5.0 12 4.0 3.7 54 UPCOMING / PLANNED COURSES (* Denotes COLA Honors Instructor-taught Lab, Approved UGS Flags indicated by their abbreviation) Fall 2015 (planned): GRG 304E* (QR, WR; E&L flag under review) Environmental Science; GRG 366C Comparative Ecosystems Summer 2015 (approved): GRG 356T (QR) Climate Change and Vegetation Response in the Kalahari; GRG 356T (GC) Enviro-Cultural Dynamics in Botswana Spring 2015 (ongoing): GRG 304E* (QR, WR) Environmental Science; GRG 462K Remote Sensing of Environment STUDENT SUPERVISION To date, 33 letters of recommendation written for UT students for job and graduate school placement University of Texas (5 students total): Samantha Maher, IRG Honors Thesis, expected May 2015. Closing the Gap: Can Eco-Tourism Act as an Intermediary between Local Concerns and the International Conservation Effort? Emily Mixon, Plan II Thesis, expected May 2015. An Examination of Burnt Area and Comparison of Interannual Fire Patterns with Fire-Influencing Factors in Southern Africa Using MODIS Data Courtney Dunphy, EVS (Environmental Science) BS senior Capstone research project, 2012. Vegetation Gradients of a Ghanzi Farm: A semi-arid savanna Matthew Hubbard, EVS BS senior Capstone research project, 2012. Carbon Intensity and the Benefits of Carbon Stock for local tourism in Botswana, Africa: Comparing Net Carbon Emissions of Three Tourist Accommodation Types Daniel LeVine, EVS BS senior Capstone research project, 2012. A remote sensing analysis of bush encroachment on a game ranch in Ghanzi, Botswana Anhalt University of Applied Science (17 students total) Practicum Supervisor, Bachelor Degree in Nature Conservation: 15 students Practicum Supervisor and Second Thesis Advisor, Masters in Nature Conservation: 1 student Practicum Supervisor and Second Thesis Supervisor, Masters in Entomology: 1 student Scientific Excursions / Group Student Supervision Page 8 of 10
UT Faculty-led Study Abroad. Climate Change, Ecosystems, and Human Dynamics (6 credits total). Botswana, May - July 2014. 16 students. UT Faculty-led Study Abroad. Climate Change, Ecosystems, and Human Dynamics (6 credits total). Botswana, May - July 2013. 15 students. UT Faculty-led Study Abroad. Climate Change, Ecosystems, and Human Dynamics (6 credits total). Botswana, May - July 2012. 12 students. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Bernburg, Germany). Rangeland Research and Management. Botswana, January - March 2012. 15 students. University of Virginia & Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Bernburg, Germany). Vegetation Structure on the Kuke Site of the Kalahari Transect. Botswana, January - March 2009. 9 students. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Bernburg, Germany). Conservation in Southern African Ecosystems. Namibia and Botswana, November 1998 - February 1999. 20 students. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Bernburg, Germany). Conservation in Southern African Ecosystems. Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, November 1997 - February 1998. 25 students. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Bernburg, Germany). Conservation in Southern African Ecosystems. Namibia, November 1996 - February 1997. 20 students. Page 9 of 10
REFERENCES (in alphabetical order) Name & Contact Information Dr. Frank E. (Ted) Bernard Professor Emeritus, Dept of Geography University of Ohio, Athens OH USA bernard@ohio.edu Dissertation Committee Member Coauthor Field Campaign Support Former Professional Employer / Research Funder Dr. Leo Braack Medical Sciences Faculty, Zoonoses Research Unit Dept of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria leo.braack@up.ac.za (formerly director of Conservation International - South Africa) Dr. Paolo D Odorico Ernest H. Ern Professor, Dept of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA paolo@virginia.edu Dr. Gregory Okin Professor, Department of Geography UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA okin@ucla.edu Dr. Dieter Orzessek President, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Strenzfelder Allee 28, 06406 Bernburg, Germany d.orzessek loel.hs-anhalt.de Dr. Herman H. (Hank) Shugart Corcoran Professor and Director, Global Environmental Change, Dept of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA hhs@virginia.edu Dr. Matthew Therrell Associate Professor, Dept of Geography University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL USA mdtherrell@ua.edu Page 10 of 10